Thousands of Michigan union members and supporters took to the streets of Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ishpeming on Labor Day in an annual show of solidarity and a celebration of organized labor. The day was marked with speeches, marches and picnics - which is just what one of Labor Day's founders (Peter McGuire, a carpenter) suggested workers should do when the day was first celebrated in New York in 1882. Thanks to all who celebrated labor's day. With political campaigns going on for years in some cases, it's hardly accurate these days to call Labor Day the traditional kick-off point for general elections in Michigan. The Republican challenger for governor, billionaire Richard Devos, has been running television and radio ads across the state since the beginning of the year. Unable to match Devos' monetary resources, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said sh

Thousands of Michigan union members and supporters took to the streets of Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ishpeming on Labor Day in an annual show of solidarity and a celebration of organized labor.

The day was marked with speeches, marches and picnics - which is just what one of Labor Day's founders (Peter McGuire, a carpenter) suggested workers should do when the day was first celebrated in New York in 1882.

Thanks to all who celebrated labor's day.

With political campaigns going on for years in some cases, it's hardly accurate these days to call Labor Day the traditional kick-off point for general elections in Michigan.

The Republican challenger for governor, billionaire Richard Devos, has been running television and radio ads across the state since the beginning of the year. Unable to match Devos' monetary resources, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she would concentrate her efforts on campaign appearances before hitting the airwaves later this month with more advertising.

Two of those appearances on Labor Day were at the traditional Mackinac Bridge walk at 7 a.m., and then a plane whisked her downstate in time for an appearance at one of the largest labor celebrations in the nation, in downtown Detroit. There, she briefly spoke to union members. Unions affiliated with the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council have unanimously endorsed Granholm for governor.

"Don't be fooled by the glossy TV ads," Granholm said, taking a jab at Devos' campaign commercials, which have been notoriously short on details on how he would run the state if elected. "We are here to fight for all of Michigan's citizens, not just the fortunate few."

Devos' only elected position was on the Michigan Board of Education. He was elected to an eight-year term but resigned after two years. His father founded Amway Corp., and after he handed the reins of the company to his son, the man who would be governor laid off 1,400 Michigan workers and invested more than $200 million in new plants in China.

"Those who support free trade are who got us in trouble in the first place," Granholm told the union audience. "I believe that working men and women in Michigan should have the right to compete in this global economy. We already have a no child left behind law, what we need is a law to make sure no workers are left behind."

Joining Granholm and a host of elected leaders them at the podium was Painters and Allied Trades President James Williams, who urged union members to help get Granholm re-elected. "The difference between these two candidates for Michigan governor is that he exports jobs, and she wants to import jobs."

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who is challenged for her position by Mike Bouchard, thanked labor for "joining in the fight for the race to the top, not the race to the bottom.. That's why we're here, to fight for the middle class."

Making a rare visit to Michigan was AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who told the crowd, "No state has been more adversely affected by President Bush's trade policies than Michigan. "We have our work cut out between now and Nov. 7 (Election Day). Thank you for supporting candidates who support working families."

JOGGING WITH Gov. Granholm (center) on the annual Mackinac Bridge walk are blue-shirted Iron Workers business managers Jim Hamric (left, Local 25) and Bruce Hawley (right, Local 340).

PLUMBERS, PIPE FITTERS AND Service Trades Local 174 members await the start of the Muskegon march.

HEAT AND FROST Insulators Local 25 members led the Michigan Avenue line of march in the Detroit parade.

e would concentrate her efforts on campaign appearances before hitting the airwaves later this month with more advertising. Two of those appearances on Labor Day were at the traditional Mackinac Bridge walk at 7 a.m., and then a plane whisked her downstate in time for an appearance at one of the largest labor celebrations in the nation, in downtown Detroit. There, she briefly spoke to union members. Unions affiliated with the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council have unanimously endorsed Granholm for governor. "Don't be fooled by the glossy TV ads," Granholm said, taking a jab at Devos' campaign commercials, which have been notoriously short on details on how he would run the state if elected. "We are here to fight for all of Michigan's citizens, not just the fortunate few." Devos' only elected position was on the Michigan Board of Education. He was elected to an eight-year term but resigned after two years. His father founded Amway Corp., and after he handed the reins of the company to his son, the man who would be governor laid off 1,400 Michigan workers and invested more than $200 million in new plants in China. "Those who support free trade are who got us in trouble in the first place," Granholm told the union audience. "I believe that working men and women in Michigan should have the right to compete in this global economy. We already have a no child left behind law, what we need is a law to make sure no workers are left behind." Joining Granholm and a host of elected leaders them at the podium was Painters and Allied Trades President James Williams, who urged union members to help get Granholm re-elected. "The difference between these two candidates for Michigan governor is that he exports jobs, and she wants to import jobs." U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who is challenged for her position by Mike Bouchard, thanked labor for "joining in the fight for the race to the top, not the race to the bottom.. That's why we're here, to fight for the middle class." Making a rare visit to Michigan was AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who told the crowd, "No state has been more adversely affected by President Bush's trade policies than Michigan. "We have our work cut out between now and Nov. 7 (Election Day). Thank you for supporting candidates who support working families."